South Africa’s next round of bids for renewable energy agreements with independent power producers would begin in November, the energy minister said on Friday, June 1, 2018.
Jeff Radebe said in Johannesburg that the bid could unlock investment worth up to R50 billion ($3.95 billion).
Radebe said projects from the new bidding round would bring another 1,800 MW of power to the grid.
Renewable energy contracts worth 56 billion were signed in April, the first major investment deal under President Cyril Ramaphosa who has promised to kick-start economic growth.
So far, 27 mostly solar and wind projects that were stalled under former president Jacob Zuma, who favoured plans to build new nuclear plants, had been signed, adding 2,305 MW to the grid.
Radebe said that liquefied natural gas was a “very high priority” as a gas strategy would be released in July or August.
Tanzania and Mozambique have huge gas reserves that South Africa is keen to tap as it seeks to reduce reliance on coal.
Coal accounts for more than 85 per cent of the power generated in South Africa.
